'It just started so I don't know where it's going': Heidi Klum admits she's dating her bodyguard, but stops short of calling romance a 'relationship'

Heidi Klum has admitted to dating her bodyguard Martin Kristen for the first time in a television interview today, although stopped short of calling the romance a 'relationship.'

The 39-year-old German model told Katie Couric on her talk show today that her romance with Kristen had 'just started,' after Couric asked if she is in a 'proper relationship.'

Klum said: 'I don't even know if I can call it that. I don't know.'

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Admission: Heidi Klum acknowledged her relationship with her bodyguard today on the Katie Couric talk show

She then elaborated on her friendship with Kristen whom she has known for four years.

'He's been with our family for the last four years,' she said. 'He’s
cared for our entire family, mostly for our four children, helped us
tremendously.

'I trust him with my children’s life. He’s a great man,
you know, and we just got to know each other from a completely different
side.'

Juggling act: Heidi discussed the difficulties of bringing up her children in the public eye

Talking it out: Heidi was in honest and philosophical mood for her talk show appearance with Katie Couric

Couric also addressed Seal's comments that Klum had been having an affair with Kristen while they were still married, asking her: 'He
accused you of quote, "fornicating with the help", implying you were
having an affair with your bodyguard while you were married.'

The talk show host added: 'He then
clarified the comment and said "before your divorce was final."

'But what
did you think about his comments, how he said them, because a lot of
people were put off by his choice of words?'

Making a point: The German model said she 'didn't love' Seal's comments regarding her dating her bodyguard

Heidi said: 'Yes, he has a very
unique choice of words. I'm used to them. I don't know. I don't love
that. Obviously, it's not true. I’ve never looked at another man while I was with him.

'And it's hard when you think that he thinks that, you don't know...he was hurt...' she added.

According to the Project Runway
host, they have both moved on since announcing their split back in
January this year, although the increased media scrutiny has put pressure
on her new relationship.

Grounds for divorce: Katie called going through the split with Seal 'horrible' and hurtful'

New phase: Heidi said she and Seal had both 'moved' on since their split

'He's moved on,' said Klum. 'When we
separated he's moved on and so have I. And it's very hard when you start
seeing somebody again, you know. All of a sudden. It's hard then when
everyone is watching you. It's almost like you can't have a real proper
chance in a way.

'And I do want to date again. I'm turning 40. I don't even know where it's going to go.'

She acknowledged she and Seal aren't 'the greatest of friends' in the wake of their split, adding that she was stunned when the singer alluded to her
having an affair with her bodyguard.

Klum said the pair are talking, but for now she's taking it 'one day at a time'.

Motherhood: Klum said her priority are the four children she shares with Seal

'I've never looked at another man': Heidi denied Seal's allegations she 'fornicated with the help'

Stepping back: Seal, arriving at LAX on August 31, later retracted his statement

Sitting across from the former news
anchor wearing a black and white all-in-one bodysuit and heels, she
said: 'I don't know if we're the greatest friends right now, especially
because of the things that he said.

'I just saw him on, on Sunday. We were talking and we're in an okay place.'

Seal recently told TMZ: 'I would have preferred
Heidi to have shown a little bit more class and at least waited until
we separated first before deciding to fornicate with the help.'

Klum said trouble has come from the couple always being watched by the public and press, causing added pressure.

'It's a work in progress. You have to take it one day at a time,' she explained.

'It's hard especially when you are in the public eye too.

'People are always looking at you closely and at everything you do. And they also don't always see exactly how it really is.'

'I haven't felt like correcting every rumour that is out there. I'm focusing on moving forward.'

A
spokesman for Klum denied the claims, and Seal later retracted his
statement, insisting he had not meant to suggest she had cheated on him
during their marriage.

Klum said that although she is moving on with her dating life, her children with Seal are her first priority.

'I'm
trying to think of my kids right now. I don't want them to all to go
through that. I'm trying to protect them from all of this.

'They're very
young. My oldest is eight, my youngest is turning three. I'm thinking
about them . I want to be a good mom for them. I'm taking it one day at a
time.'

Klum, who filed for divorce back in April
following seven years of marriage, shares four children with Seal: Leni,
eight, Henry, six, Johan, five, and two-year-old Lou.

Liaison: Heidi, pictured on a morning jog in Manhattan with her
bodyguard Martin Kristen last month, has been forced to deny allegations
they were having an affair